Antique

1876 Book: Home Talk, Medical Common Sense (… Society, Love, Marriage, Parentage, Etc., Etc.): 1,478 ppm Lead & 18 ppm Cadmium & 133 ppm Mercury (in the cover)

February 14, 2022October 19, 2023

Published: February 14, 2022 — Monday In general, vintage and antique books will test positive for unsafe levels of heavy metals — and I do not consider them safe to have in a home with children present. (To see more books I have tested, click here). If you must keep antique books around your home…

What is vintage? What is antique? Some definitions to help you determine if your cherished items are likely to be toxic or not!

March 3, 2020March 4, 2020

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What do you mean by “Vintage” here on this website? Many of the objects I test and write about on this blog are noted to be either “vintage” or “antique” I especially use these terms when I don’t know the exact year of production for the specific item tested – but can “guesstimate” the age,…

#Leaded: Athol Fine Bone China, England

February 25, 2018February 25, 2018

Athol Fine Bone China. Made in England. Tested with an XRF instrument. Positive for lead at 61,400 +/- 1,500 ppm lead. For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher. Vintage dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectible with…

#Leaded: Vintage 1940s Nancy Ann Storybook Bride Doll

December 16, 2017April 28, 2020

This vintage (1940s) Nancy Ann Storybook doll bride has a painted face that is 172,600 +/- 10,000 ppm lead. The amount of lead that is considered toxic/unsafe in an item made for children today is 90 ppm lead and higher. In general you should keep vintage dolls (both plastic and ceramic) away from young children…

#Leaded: Antique/ Vintage Floradora Doll

November 30, 2017November 30, 2017

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Floradora doll: Eyes 7,551 ppm lead, Lips 10,000+ ppm lead, Dress: 57 ppm mercury. Tested with an XRF instrument. Thanks to Johna Robinson for donating and supporting this post! The amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children today is 90 ppm lead and higher. I don’t have a suggestion…

#Leaded: Antique Brownie Camera

November 27, 2017

Antique Brownie Hawkeye Camera by Kodak: black plastic: lead-free, metal knob (on left): 8,539 ppm lead. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is 90 ppm lead. Antiques and vintage items are not regulated and in most cases it is not required to mark them as containing lead…